Callaway Board of Associates celebrates 50th anniversary

The Callaway County Board of Associates, which raises money for 22 annual college scholarships in Callaway County, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The organization is hosting a Chamber After Hours event on June 5 at the Fulton Country Club.

The Board of Associates will have its annual dinner and meeting on Oct. 9 at William Woods University. The location of the annual meeting rotates between Westminster College and William Woods University.

The organization was formed in 1962.

Nicole Elliott, the 2013 president-elect of the organization, said the main function of the organization is to raise money to finance the granting of annual college scholarships to Callaway County high school graduates.

“It’s a great organization that benefits a lot of Callaway County students who want to attend either William Woods or Westminster,” Elliott said.

The organization helps make available higher education to many Callaway County students. It also helps both Westminster and William Woods by enrolling more students.

Last year the Board of Associates granted $48,000 in scholarships to 22 Callaway County students who attend either Westminster or William Woods.

Students apply for the scholarships to William Woods or Westminster. The institutions determine the eligibility for the scholarships based on grades, activities and financial need.

Brenda Foster, a member of the Board of Associates from William Woods University, said for the last two years the number of scholarships has been increasing one each year. Last year the organization financed 22 annual scholarships, 11 to Westminster and 11 to WWU. The scholarships are renewable each year until graduation if student grade requirements are met.

The scholarships are for $1,500, $2,000 and $3,000. The amounts vary based on costs and need.

“The scholarships are available to any graduates of high schools in Fulton, New Bloomfield, North Callaway, and South Callaway,” Foster said.